Amid my earliest-published posts with its somewhat restrictive format, I shouted out a fellow at YouTube–an Indonesian by the alias Appabend. He distills topics from his live streams that decry hooplas–occurrences in social media that count as massive social blunders in other settings–and pepper-sprays them with memes.
He may incorporate a theme or overarching, recurring number of points. In this edition, dated February 26th, 2024, he points out issues like Brain Rot from heeding the Culture War a little too deeply–topics dear to my heart. Watch the video for context–here are my responsorial takes in as many words as each segment’s seconds count:
Table of Condensing
#1: Human Brains CANNOT Distinguish Fiction & Reality! (69)
#2: Helldivers II INSANE Fascist Take! (66)
#3: SPONSORS (22)
#4: Adult Content Addicts Will NEVER Be Devs! (55)
#5: JUSTIFYING Hypocrisy with Feminist Politics! (69)
#6: The Effect of Culture War BRAIN ROT (68)
#7: I Wished Someone’s DEATH & Got Doxed for it! (59)
#8: Fantasies are OKAY as long as it’s NOT REAL LIFE! (59)
#9: OUTRO (39)
#1: Human Brains CANNOT Distinguish Fiction & Reality! (69)
We start with a bang.
I empathized with Elsa’s wish to flee her sheltered life as an ice nymph living among suspicious humans. I do not empathize with online cosplayers aping her appearance and popularity to drive clicks and likes unto an enterprise willing to parade Hitler dancing with the Indredible Hulk to children behind clueless parents’ eyes.
My deficient brain can still discern differences between both. No excuses.
#2: Helldivers II INSANE Fascist Take! (66)
Look, the movie Starship Troopers works as belligerent satire, but nobody will convince me that comparing disadvantaged communities to arthropods works in anyone’s favor. Must I read into Jeff Vogel’s Exile/Avernum trilogy’s depiction of whimsical talking spiders as a condescending commentary about country bumpkins living in the outskirts, a primer for telling female arachnophobes off, or tribute to his beloved pet spider–the source of his company’s branding motif?
#3: SPONSORS (22)
I prefer creators who sponsor products or integrate branded merchandise over rattling cans, but subscribe to 501K(c)(3) non-profits’ channels.
Speaking of which….
#4: Adult Content Addicts Will NEVER Be Devs! (55)
You know what? That stung.
The “Fight the New Drug” organization strives hard to humanize performers and consumers after decades of moralizing and rebellion have exacerbated everyone’s reputations, commodified resentment towards censorship and promoted fig leaves amid plummeting birth rates:
https://www.youtube.com/@FightTheNewDrug
https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbkt5Q29mOUtuQ2lYU25oR2MwYURSdDB5RnFCd3xBQ3Jtc0ttVVZFaHJHa05PWWJZLU1fRXJHM0ZrQmdnTlcyTUhCQkNkVUw1a0V0NHl1T3AzUmNCNGNJenlKMUJxa1NmbjdDZFc4OVpZbmNjME9wcWk5amJTTHZtSGVXTTNnS0NDU0hvWElvelQ5VDdsVkdPUElSNA&q=https%3A%2F%2Ffightthenewdrug.org%2F%3Futm_source%3Dyoutube%26utm_medium%3Dreferral%26utm_campaign%3Dmedia
[Note: Links don’t count.]
It also combats human trafficking, but that’s beside the point.
#5: JUSTIFYING Hypocrisy with Feminist Politics! (69)
Sexualizing and objectifying are two different actions. One is expected. The other is beyond worse.
Plus, I understand assuming others’ predilections toward eternal authority over others via expressions of desire summarily accuses everyone else (but not oneself) of greed (i.e. materialism) alongside lust (objectification).
Babes show back? Learn to deal.
Also, Appabend is very libertine compared to his country, but nowhere near fundamentally reprobate. Gawk, don’t grab–recurring, resonant motif.
#6: The Effect of Culture War BRAIN ROT (68)
Fascinating.
I described unsolvable cultural and structural problems that the video’s flaky platitude intensifies. “IF ONLY” thinking: no formal education = no respect from whoever (still) respects institutions.
Am I inconsiderate for somehow misinterpreting something? Many berated my comment for ignoring the message (“DON’T GIVE UP!”), like I didn’t watch.
I neither care nor get them.
“It’s inspiring!”
So’s “Lost”.
(Props to PEAR for not replying. Seriously.)
#7: I Wished Someone’s DEATH & Got Doxed for it! (59)
Can relate.
I too get steamy reactions like these from netizens bewildered by my sheer intensity and perceived misanthropy. In high school, my note for the teacher on the front page of a report assignment resembled a death threat regardless of intent (my literal phrasing predicted a failing grade).
English teacher, by the way. I still hate her guts.
#8: Fantasies are OKAY as long as it’s NOT REAL LIFE! (59)
Some books describe the power of positive thinking as a literal force that redefines physical reality.
Cool!
But, what is it limited to? Specifically, do stray thoughts count?
What happens while masturbating or having sex? A flurry of provocative imagery!
And who do people think of (being with)?
Doesn’t that feel wrong, especially when it’s another’s sweetheart?
Ergo, cartoon porn.
#9: OUTRO (39)
Before you close the tab in disgust, let me close with this:
Appabend’s streams let you donate your pocket change via Streamlabs service. Increments of $69 are celebrated and declared by a “Nice” moniker. The defense rests, your honor.
Good hunting.
Post-Script
“69 COMMENTS?!
“Here I was, writing a blog post where I comment on each topic listed above in some way, often in around 69 words (because each segment is about 69 seconds or less) and the number of comments happens to be sixty-fucking-nine!
“I often read how perception and positive thinking create reality, but it can’t be that direct of a Coincidence Generator, right?”
–Me, in a comment to the selfsame video by Appabend